Saban: BCS National Championship parade set for Jan. 19

Alabama coach Nick Saban said the 2012 national championship team will be honored with a parade and a ceremony on the steps of Bryant-Denny Stadium next Saturday.

By Tommy DeasExecutive Sports Editor

TUSCALOOSA | This time there will be a parade.The University of Alabama's 2012 national championship football team will be honored next Saturday with celebration that will include a parade and a ceremony at the Walk of Champions at Bryant-Denny Stadium.UA's last national championship parade came after the 1992 season. Alabama held a celebration inside Bryant-Denny Stadium after its 2009 and 2011 Bowl Championship Series national titles."This is a pretty quick turnaround to do something like this, but our fans have always been great about coming out and showing their appreciation for the hard work and sacrifices these young men made throughout their careers here to develop and play at the standard they've had to play at to have the opportunity to be in a national championship game, and to win a national championship," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "That's going to happen next Saturday."We're really excited about having a great turnout to honor this team, who I think I'm as proud of as any team we've ever had. I know our fans will come out and support and make a real concerted effort to show their appreciation for all these guys have accomplished."The parade will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the corner of University Boulevard and Second Avenue. Participants will include Saban, players and staff from the 2012 national title team, athletics director Mal Moore and other dignitaries and guests. The parade will conclude with a ceremony on the top steps of the north end zone at the Walk of Champions plaza. The ceremony will be emceed by Eli Gold, the radio voice of UA football.Further details about the national title celebration and parade will be released next week.Some congratulations, however, couldn't wait. President Obama called University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban on Thursday to congratulate Saban and the Crimson Tide for once again winning the BCS National Championship Game.The president noted that this was the third time that he has made such a call to Saban and joked that the Alabama team is beginning to make this a habit.President Obama commended Saban on the incredible organization he has built at UA and told the coach that he looks forward to congratulating the team in person at the White House.No date has yet been set for the 2012 Alabama football team to visit the White House. The Crimson Tide visited the White House after winning the 2009 and 2011 national championships.